My first track loader! - Page 5

72ih354 · 11-04-2009, 03:00 PM

CM1995
Yes, it is Artec Tractor & Equipment (Hwy 5 between Jasper & Nauvoo, Al). Been "lurking" HEF for some time. Seldom find questions that others have not answered. As for calling Tom, he's not in his office this week, too busy at the SEMA? show in Vegas.
Scott @ Artec

boone · 11-05-2009, 05:36 PM

72ih354, Fredricks is not far way...maybe an hour. I called and they did mention Tom did the block repair but he was out for the week. I inquired about the process and the man did say he thought it was pinning. Their website says the repair is warrantied for life. Sounds attractive.

The patch idea is sounding tempting. Just got the quote from locknstich and it was $588 for parts and shipping. We were hoping for the $300 range. We've already ordered Devcon cleaner and some titanium epoxy because there is a small crack just above the big one. Fortunately, it doesn't leak even when hot. Since we'll have plenty of Devcon we're thinking of cleaning the big crack really good and sealing it up. Maybe this will buy us some time to figure out if the engine doesn't have other major problems before we sink several hundred into it.

ATCOEQUIP · 11-05-2009, 06:44 PM

Welcome to the forum 72ih354.

72ih354 · 11-06-2009, 09:04 AM

atcoequip
HEF really appears to be a well maintained forum! Most of my experience is with tractors and small equipment, so I may not have a great deal of information to post. We sell Blue Diamond attachments, and at one time sold quite a bit of used equipment to Aaron. I did happen on your yard August 08 if i recall correctly during major road construction /detour in Knoxville. I regret not having time to stop and meet more of the Atco staff. Do you still have the "screaming yellow" RHD shop truck? I am interested in showing my boss the details of your 12/24v jump cart, but I can no longer find the link. Where did you hide it?
Later,
Scott @ Artec

swampdog · 11-06-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boone

The patch idea is sounding tempting. Just got the quote from locknstich and it was $588 for parts and shipping. We were hoping for the $300 range. We've already ordered Devcon cleaner and some titanium epoxy because there is a small crack just above the big one. Fortunately, it doesn't leak even when hot. Since we'll have plenty of Devcon we're thinking of cleaning the big crack really good and sealing it up. Maybe this will buy us some time to figure out if the engine doesn't have other major problems before we sink several hundred into it.

The Devcon or another similar product may well be worth a try. Before trying the Devcon, you might want to think about whether using Devcon would prevent you from trying another more permanent fix later on. Devcon might, for example, interfere with adhesion of a weld or . . . Just a thought.

ATCOEQUIP · 11-06-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72ih354

atcoequip
HEF really appears to be a well maintained forum! Most of my experience is with tractors and small equipment, so I may not have a great deal of information to post.

Yep, there's a lot of great people here from all over the world, and some darn fine moderators that keep this a good forum.

You will occasionally find a question about tractors and small equipment, so hang around.

We haven't forgot about you guys. Yes, we've purchased a good number of machines from you, it's just right now, there ain't much purchasing going on because sales are dead, but I guess you guys know that feeling, the attachments is what's keeping us going right now. And yes, we still have that screamin' yeller shop truck.

If you want info on a member, simply place your cursor on the members name and click. It will take you to a page where you can contact the member and also check posts and threads of the member. Here's you a link to the monster garage booster. I just serviced it up today getting ready for the dead machines of winter. http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/...ad.php?t=10619

I'm curious to here about the block repair process that you mentioned.

gpap123 · 11-10-2009, 04:16 PM

Nice pics, nice job, i hope to be a good machine for you!

zbo2 · 11-11-2009, 11:59 PM

most automotive parts stores sell a ceramic block sealer. the stuff works really well according to my racing buddies. they use it on aluminum headed iron block race cars. follow the directions and it should seal it from the inside. worth a try for sure.
Joe

boone · 11-16-2009, 08:43 PM

Here are a few pics of the block repair using Devcon Titanium putty. Right or wrong, whether it works or not, here's what we chose to do. It's not pretty, but hopefully it'll work. The purpose of the groove and the semi-holes are to provide as much surface area as possible for adhesion. Also, some allen set screws were added to keep the upper and lower portion of the block from moving.

pic1 - the operating room
pic2 - upclose of crack and screws
pic3,4 - the surface prepped and cleaned before application

boone · 11-16-2009, 08:52 PM

Steel galvanized screen was sandwiched between two quarter inch applications of the putty along most of the length of the crack. The cure time is about 16 hours. Time will tell if it works or not.

ATCOEQUIP · 11-16-2009, 09:37 PM

Interesting!

swampdog · 11-16-2009, 10:07 PM

Please keep us posted!

boone · 11-28-2009, 02:33 PM

It's cured for 11 days. Put a little paint on the wound and got everything back together yesterday. Temp was about 50 outside. Thought we'd have a little trouble getting it started with all the air in the lines, but it fired right up. Ran for two hours and no sign of any leaks. I'll keep you posted on how it does.

zbo2 · 11-28-2009, 07:05 PM

nice.....

boone · 12-02-2009, 11:04 PM

Within 6 hours of running the machine over the course of three days (couple of hours each day) the fix has failed. The coolant is streaming from under the epoxy at close to full throttle. I figured we had a 50% chance of this working, but I didn't figure it would fail this soon. What a disappointment.

Some on here have mentioned block sealer, but the coolant filter/dispenser is of concern. There are valves to bypass the filter initially, but would this stuff work it's way into the filter over time or does the sealant setup quickly?

Swampdog, your previous comments about considering a more permanent fix later was right-on. We do have a good contact for a welder that can do the job. This may be our next move assuming we can get all this stuff off.